The Highway War: A Marine Company Commander in Iraq [Hardcover]

Maj. Seth W. B. Folsom USMC (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 2006

****Winner of the 2007 Military Writers Society of America's Gold Medal Award for "Best Memoir"****

The Highway War is the compelling Iraq War memoir of then-Capt. Seth Folsom, commanding officer of Delta Company, First Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps. Mounted in eight-wheeled LAVs (light armored vehicles), this unit of 130 Marines and sailors was one of the first into Iraq in March 2003. It fought on the front lines for the war’s entire offensive phase, from the Kuwaiti border through Baghdad to Tikrit.

Folsom’s thoughtful account focuses on his maturation as a combat leader—and as a human being enduring the austere conditions of combat and coming to terms with loss of life on both sides. Moreover, The Highway War is the story of a junior officer’s relationships with his company’s young Marines, for whose lives he was responsible, and with his superior officers. Folsom covers numerous unusual military actions and conveys truthfully the pace, stress, excitement, mistakes, and confusion of modern ground warfare. The Highway War is destined to be a Marine Corps classic.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"THE HIGHWAY WAR's extraordinary contribution to the Iraq War literature lies deeper than the details of the battle for Baghdad as described first-hand from the armor of 1st LAR's vehicles--it is found within the armor of company commander Folsom's heart and mind. This is a rare, insightful account of a Marine officer privately wrestling with life-and-death decisions, and coping with his personal vulnerabilities, while publicly presenting the hard-charging persona his Marines come to depend on in combat." --Buzz Williams, author of SPARE PARTS: A MARINE RESERVIST'S JOURNEY FROM CAMPUS TO COMBAT IN 38 DAYS

From the Publisher

"Expeditionary Warfare School instructors--and others looking to learn about modern combat--should study The Highway War. Major Seth Folsom's memoir about his command of Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, is the finest account of infantry combat in the 2003 push to Baghdad that you'll ever read. . . . Members of the military, particularly Marines, should not miss this gem. . . . Several of his combat scenes rank with the finest war prose penned, right up there with Folsom's literary hero, William Manchester. Accounts at The Elbow and The Tunnel of company- and platoon-level combat should be studied by future tacticians looking to ready themselves for war in the months and decades to come. . . . [Folsom] is gunned up, buttoned down, and crossing the LD in full attack. Read it, and enjoy the snapshot of the fight with Delta's Dragons." -- Proceedings

"The Highway War's extraordinary contribution to the Iraq War literature lies deeper than the details of the battle for Baghdad as described first-hand from the armor of 1st LAR's vehicles--it is found within the armor of company commander Folsom's heart and mind. This is a rare, insightful account of a Marine officer privately wrestling with life-and-death decisions, and coping with his personal vulnerabilities, while publicly presenting the hard-charging persona his Marines come to depend on in combat." -- Buzz Williams, author of Spare Parts: A Marine Reservist's Journey from Campus to Combat in 38 Days

"A great leadership text, this story is about the new Marine Corps that rides into and conducts firefights on wheels as compared to our old way of walking forever. Folsom relates detailed real-life challenges and situations at the cutting edge in combat. He makes the point well that as human individuals we are subject to self-doubt and mistakes while yet moving forward as a combat leader of Marines." -- Col. Wes Fox, author of Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps

"Seth Folsom's The Highway War is a classic on the challenges of commanding a company of Marines. The book honors them and him, and it will help other officers understand the trials and glories of leading Marines." -- Col. Allan R. Millett, USMCR (Ret.), author of Semper Fidelis: The History of the U.S. Marine Corps

"Well-written." -- Reference and Research Book News

". . . .there is no more demanding and challenging job than to command a company in combat. . . .Seth Folsom's The Highway War captures this experience better than any other book I have read in many years. It is a volume that not only superbly details the challenges and difficulties of commanding a company in combat, but captures the true human dimension of war. . . .one of the best glimpses of the human dimension of war that you will ever read." -- Armchair General

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 424 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574889885
• ISBN-13: 978-1574889888
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, July 12, 2006

By 

Henrietta B. Scott (Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Highway War: A Marine Company Commander in Iraq (Hardcover)

This is a great book that follows it's author through the inital war in Iraq, a dedicated Marine who grows to love his men as only a real man can when put through the fire. He shows insight and compassion as well as a real dedication to his men, his country, and to the Corps. Well written!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ken Harmon, August 15, 2006

By 

Kenneth W. Harmon (Valley Lee) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Highway War: A Marine Company Commander in Iraq (Hardcover)

I found myself reading this book at every opportunity; in traffic, in elevators, even at meals and similar inappropriate times. This is not just another rollercoaster ride conducted by a combat experienced Marine. This Marine's account of Delta Company's transformation is remarkable for its transparency and his ability to compel the reader to share in the highs and lows, fear and courage, the zeal, the frustration, the suffering, the joy of brotherhood and the awe inspiring pride of being a US Marine.

Baring his soul without fear of criticism, the author leads the reader and his nation to examine themselves and their motives. Critical of his own growing complacency towards danger, he describes the company's heroism and his own abandon of prudent caution in the face of the enemies attack. Yet he never once mentions the fact that he received the Bronze Star for these actions. While his men and his superiors may think otherwise, he does not appear to view himself as particularly heroic.

I think, without intending to do so, Major Folsom provides the reader with a bridge between the exhilarating and stunningly swift battle resulting in the dissolution of Saddam Hussein's brutal empire and the ironic contest of wills that has taken its place between the free world and the tyranny of Islamic Fascism. From the first contact, it was apparent that the fight was not going to be with the Iraqi army, but with a group of organized thugs, the followers of Hussein and Islamic opportunist attracted to the sound of distant guns from around the world.

An important undercurrent in his book, Major Folsom never looses sight of the impoverished and tragic (Iraqi) people who continue to suffer the consequences of unchecked fanaticism.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down, September 20, 2006

By 

Rob Saracino (Lindenhurst, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Highway War: A Marine Company Commander in Iraq (Hardcover)

I am not typically a reader of non-fiction war books, but "The Highway War" really held my interest throughout. I was hoping to get a little glimpse into what some of the soldiers endured in Iraq. This book did just that as it tugged on every emotion.

Major Folsom does an outstanding job of allowing the reader to get into the head of a Marine Commander as he is making life/death decisions. I really enjoyed the honesty and frankness as sleep deprivation and the pressures of combat take their toll on the mind. It was interesting seeing the Major's growth as a leader. The detail is excellent. I highly recommend "The Highway War".

Rob Saracino (Lindenhurst, NY)